Rural Infrastructure Funding In Governor’s Budget Proposal

Governor Bill Lee is proposing $21 million to prepare rural counties for businesses relocating to Tennessee.

State Senator Paul Bailey said he anticipates local agencies being able to tap into the funding to create the needed infrastructure.

“To get site-ready, pad-ready sites to do some recruiting of industry to come in,” Bailey said. “So, the Upper Cumberland is poised to get its fair share.”

Although, he said some of this funding is tied into on-going projects.

Bailey said Tech made it into this year’s budget after being cut last year. He said just over $49 million is budgeted in the proposal for Tennessee Tech’s Engineering Building.

Bailey said the next steps for the state’s proposed budget is to have it presented to House and Senate Committees. He said the legislature will then determine whether to amend the budget moving forward.